Double-decker Airbus takes off

Airbus envisions express-mail deliveries via its A380 jet.

Credit: Airbus.com

Show me a picture of coach class
by shoffmueller January 18, 2005 1:56 PM PST: Let's see the section that holds 500 seats of hungry passengers fighting their neighbor for the arm-rest and getting poked in the back by the knees of the guy in back of you. And just think how many screaming babies you could fit on this thing.; Like this Reply to this comment

Bigger isn't always better
by January 20, 2005 1:06 PM PST: Airbus' golden boondogle. The trick about big planes is filling them up with PAYING passengers.
I believe that Boeing's approach, smaller aircraft flying direct to destinations is the correct way to go. Besides, this thisg is too big. Airports around the world simplly do not have the infrastructure to support it.; Like this Reply to this comment

It's taking all of my...
by Bob_Barker April 27, 2005 8:08 AM PDT: It's taking all of my willpower to restrain from making reference to skyscrapers.; Like this Reply to this comment

You sort of wonder....
by Earl Benser April 28, 2005 8:46 AM PDT: How many routes actually could use a 380? Sure, maybe fewer
fligts than 747's would need, but 747, et. al. hlready haveonly
limited routes that are profitable.

What about the demand on terminals? You need security
scr=eeners, ticket takers, loading doors and all the other
features, to be doubled at least. That won't be easy, but in time
it could be done.

What about public reaction when a 380 goes down killing all on
board? It will happen, and psychologically it will be a bombshell
when it does. Still, the Tenerife 747 crash killed as many, and
maybe no one remembers.

Small point - the requirement for evacuation of all passengers in
less than 90 seconds. I don't think that you could do that with
explosive decompression at 40,000 feet.

Anyhow, it will be interesting watching Boeing and Airbus push
their separate visions. Maybe there's room for both. But if it's
oneor the other, I guess I'd have to go with Boeing's approach -
smaller planes, more direct flights.

We'll see.; Like this Reply to this comment

Booze at the ready
by kieranmullen April 29, 2005 1:16 AM PDT: I like how pic number 5 has slots for bottles of wine. Almost like a fire extinguisher case. In case of emeerygency break glass! :-); Like this Reply to this comment

Economy seats look uncomfortable
by shreeg April 29, 2005 8:45 AM PDT: Compared to the 777's seats that have a couple of extra inches on the sides.
The seats shown on 380 economy seem to be of the 747 ilk. Most uncomfortable and cramped.; Like this Reply to this comment

HEY LOOK!
by David Arbogast April 29, 2005 11:28 AM PDT: HEY LOOK!
Its the plane that Microsoft's money built!; Like this Reply to this comment

Negative Nancys
by Andrew J Glina April 30, 2005 1:57 AM PDT: I am surprised at all of the bad comments on the A380. The 747 is an old design, and it is good that it is at last getting true competition. I think that the reason why Boeing is not trying to compete is because they do not want to damage 747 sales so they are instead replacing other old designs. (Which have been loosing sales due to other Airbus products.) Rememeber that the 747 was insulted for all the same reasons, and they were even more justified then as the airports needed huge upgrades.; Like this Reply to this comment


by Chandler_Johnson September 14, 2009 11:58 PM PDT: We should just use the wright flyer or and the spirit of St. Louis for all airfare; Like this Reply to this comment